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Sunday, April 22, 2018

Goin' Out Of My Head - Little Anthony And The Imperials

It's Just A Matter Of Time

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Goin' Out Of My Head
Little Anthony And The Imperials
Arranged and Produced by Teddy Randazzo
DCP Internations (Don Costa Records) DCS 6808
Distributed by United Artists Records
1964

From the back cover: The group includes Little Anthony (last name Gourdine), who chants lead; Sam Stain, first tenor; Ernie Wright, second tenor and Clarence Collins, baritone-bass. The boys grew up together in Brooklyn, Anthony and Clarence attended Boys High School. Sam and Ernie went to Alexander Hamilton High School. All four liked to sing, and by the time they had entered high school, they were singing professionally.

Little Anthony was a member of the DuPonts, Ernie and Clarence were with The Chesters, and Sam sang with The Chips. Even though they belongs to different ensembles, they often managed to sing as a foursome at various youth centers and on variety programs in Brooklyn.

Soon after graduating from high school, Little Anthony left The DuPonts to join The Chesters. Sam also joined the group a short time later. In 1958 they were spotted by Richard Barrett, an artists and repertoire man who had discovered Frankie Lyman & The Teenagers, The Chantels and The lesley Brothers, among others. Their association with Barrett was responsible for a change in the name of their group to Little Anthony & The Imperials. It also led to an End Records contract and a smash recording, "Tears On My Pillow". This hit was followed by several others.

As a result of their record successes, the group made appearances in major cities in the United States. They also toured Canada and Mexico. After their End Records contract had expired, multi-talented Teddy Randazzo, who had long admired the group, brought Little Anthony & The Imperials to the attention of Don Costa and DCP Records.

Their first recording for DCP, "On The Outside (Lookin' In)", was an immediate hit. This was followed by "Goin' Out Of My Head", which soon placed among the top ten on the various best-selling lists.

Little Anthony's birthday is January 8. When time permits, he likes to ride and play baseball. Sam is also a sports enthusiast with billiards and swimming as his favorites. He is also an avid movie-goer. Sam's birthday is December 9. Ernie's birthday is August 24. Top sports with him are baseball, riding and billiards. His birthday is March 17.

Goin' Out Of My Head
What A Difference A Day Made
Reputation
Hurt
It's Just A Matter Of Time
Never Again
Hurt So Bad
Where Are You
Take Me Back
Who's Sorry Now?
I Miss You So
Get Out Of My Life

The Manic Mark Story

My gospel blog, The Good, Bad & Ugly Gospel Record Barn focuses on Cincinnati, Ohio and Northern Kentucky area artists who recorded on local labels such as Jewel, Rite and Queen City Album.

In general, I will be posting only samples and not entire albums. If I post only an album cover it is because the content is available on CD or by download.

If an artist is still working, I will usually refrain from posting a sample. I do my best to locate information on the artist.

I realize relatives and friends may find posts of people they knew or know. I hope you will be pleased with what you read.

The worst fate for an artist, I believe, is to be completely forgotten. I do not blog many of the albums I find because the recordings fail to share a personal vision or a special energy. Liking or disregarding art is relative to your experience, but I think that it is better to be remembered for something crazy, than for nothing at all.